GATE NM study plan
GATE NM · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Ship Hydrostatics and Stability & Engineering Mathematics
Derive and apply hydrostatic curves: displacement, TPC, MCTC, LCF, KB and waterplane coefficients for a box-shaped and a ship-shaped hull
Solve metacentric height problems including free surface correction and small-angle heel/trim calculations
Complete 40 timed Engineering Mathematics problems on matrices, eigenvalues and partial derivatives
Build a one-page formula sheet for hydrostatics with units and sign conventions
Your checkpoint
A worked problem set of 25 hydrostatics and stability numericals with the formula sheet, scored against a self-made answer key
Ship Resistance and Propulsion & Fluid Mechanics and Ship Dynamics
Compute frictional resistance with the ITTC-57 line and residuary resistance by comparing model and full-scale data
Apply Froude scaling law to convert model resistance, power and speed to full scale, and state the limitations of the method
Explain propeller open-water characteristics: thrust and torque coefficients, advance ratio, efficiency and cavitation onset
Solve 15 problems on continuity, Bernoulli, momentum and boundary-layer thickness
Your checkpoint
A resistance and propulsion calculation sheet covering one full model-to-ship extrapolation and one propeller efficiency estimate, with all intermediate values shown
Ship Structures & Materials and Welding in Marine Construction
Draw shear force and bending moment diagrams for a hull girder idealised as a simply supported and cantilever beam under still-water and wave loading
Compute section modulus, moment of inertia and hull girder stress for a simplified midship section
Classify welding processes used in shipbuilding and match each to its typical application and defect risk
Identify common weld defects and explain the non-destructive testing method used to detect each
Compare mild steel, higher-strength steel and aluminium for marine structural use
Your checkpoint
A midship section stress calculation with shear force and bending moment diagrams plus a one-page welding process and defect comparison table
Ship Design and Construction & Marine Engineering and Systems
Apply classification society scantling logic to select plate thickness and stiffener size for a given panel
Explain the roles of primary, secondary and tertiary structural members and how they transfer load
Trace the main propulsion and auxiliary systems layout: fuel, cooling, lubrication and starting air
Describe the working of two-stroke and four-stroke marine engines and compare their specific fuel consumption
Explain steering gear, bow thruster and shafting arrangements
Your checkpoint
A labelled system diagram of a ship's engine room covering fuel, cooling, lube oil and starting air, plus a scantling selection worked example
Engineering Mathematics & General Aptitude
Complete 30 Engineering Mathematics problems on differential equations, Laplace transforms and numerical methods
Complete 25 General Aptitude problems on quantitative aptitude including percentages, ratios and data interpretation
Practise 15 verbal ability and logical reasoning questions under a 20-minute timer
Review and correct every error from weeks 1 to 4 in a single error log
Your checkpoint
An error log of at least 30 corrected questions grouped by root cause, with the corrected method written for each
Ship Hydrostatics and Stability & Ship Resistance and Propulsion
Solve damage stability problems using the lost buoyancy and added weight methods
Compute trim, list and free surface effect for a ship after loading, discharging and ballast transfer
Estimate required propulsive power from resistance, wake fraction, thrust deduction and propeller efficiency
Explain propeller-hull interaction and the effect of wake on propeller performance
Your checkpoint
A timed 90-minute mock section on hydrostatics, stability, resistance and propulsion, scored and reviewed with corrections
Ship Structures & Ship Design and Construction & Materials and Welding in Marine Construction
Solve combined loading problems on stiffened panels including buckling of plates and stiffeners
Explain fatigue and fracture considerations in hull structure and where stress concentrations arise
Describe construction sequence from keel laying to launch and the effect of launching on hull stresses
Explain corrosion control: coatings, cathodic protection and sacrificial anodes
Match material selection and weldability issues to specific structural locations
Your checkpoint
A timed 90-minute mock section on structures, design and materials, with a corrected answer sheet and a list of three weak areas
General Aptitude & Marine Engineering and Systems & Fluid Mechanics and Ship Dynamics
Complete two full-length timed mock tests under exam conditions and score each against the official marking scheme
Revise the formula sheets and error log from all previous weeks
Practise 20 General Aptitude questions in a 25-minute sprint to build speed
Confirm final revision priorities by ranking domains by mock-test accuracy
Your checkpoint
Two scored full-length mock tests with a final one-page revision sheet listing the five highest-risk topics and the exact fix for each
Milestones
Week 2: Solve a full-scale resistance and power estimate from model data without notes, and score at least 70% on a 20-question hydrostatics and resistance self-test
Week 4: Produce a complete midship section stress calculation and engine room system diagram from memory, with fewer than three formula lookups
Week 6: Score at least 60% on the timed 90-minute mock section and show that every error has a written correction in the error log
Week 8: Score at least 65% on both full-length mocks with no domain below 50%, and hold a finished one-page revision sheet